'Global Crises' topic at Salisbury Forum Oct. 16

SALISBURY — The Salisbury Forum begins the 2009-10 season with a talk at the Salisbury School by Jeffrey Sachs, renowned author, economist and director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University; and Bill Blakemore, a correspondent for ABC News for more than 35 years.

 They will discuss “Four Global Crises: Money, Security, Heat, Psychology†on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the school’s Seifert Theater.

Sachs, director of the Earth Institute, Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development and professor of health policy and management at Columbia University, is also special advisor to the United Nations Secretary General.

Blakemore has been covering a wide variety of stories both domestically and internationally and has spearheaded ABC’s coverage of global warming. He will “interview†Sachs onstage for the forum.

In an interview with The Journal, Blakemore said he became interested in global warming in 2004, when he phoned an American scientist in Costa Rica, hoping to do a follow-up on a 1994 story about why amphibians living at altitudes of 300 feet or more were disappearing.

“He said it could be global warming, and I thought, no way. I’d heard about it for 30 years but never paid much attention, being busy with wars and popes and such.â€

He said the American press has been “way behind†on coverage of global warming.

“I started pitching stories to my editors, who said, ‘Go ahead, do what you do.’â€

Blakemore said he’s not an advocate of any position. “I am advocating that we cover the story.â€

He looks forward to interviewing Sachs. “He really connects the stovepipes†in considering the economic, political, environmental and psychological aspects of climate change.

Blakemore has covered 12 wars and has been the primary correspondent on all issues concerning the Vatican. He was the first television correspondent to win the Edward R. Murrow Fellowship at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Salisbury Forum invites experts to provide their insight, followed by a question-and-answer period. All forums are free to the public.

For more information, visit salisburyforum.org.  

Also on Oct. 16, the Salisbury Forum hosts a Sneak Peek and Benefit Dinner at the new Cafe Giulia in Lakeville.

Robert Willis is the chef-owner of the eatery, which will feature regional Italian cuisine.Seatings are at 5:15 and 9:15 p.m.

For reservations, call Wendy Hamilton at 860-435-6268. Cafe Giulia is located at 2 Ethan Allen St. and will be open to the public on Thursday, Oct. 29.